Lyrics and Vocals: Irish folk singer/songwriter, the late Co. Kerry born Christie Hennessy (Edward Christopher Ross 1945–2007). Interesting to note: Cristie’s 1992 release ‘The Rehearsal’ outsold Irish rock band ‘U2’ here in Ireland.
Roll Back the Clouds.
I’ve been sitting here so long, for you to hear my song, And all you want to know, have I been on the radio, Who’s the biggest star I’ve seen, what is my favourite scene, And if I get the job would I sing on Mars. Yes Sir I would sing on Mars, I’d play upon a star, I’d sing songs of the Sun and when my job was done, I would say I love you so, I’d like to play one more, Just to all young lovers, for the road. Tell me Son, yeah just how far, I need to go to be a star. I have known my highs and lows, I’ve worked in every show, I’ve played in every town, and brought some houses down, The critics never noticed me, I’m not a star you see, And yet I give my heart to every part. I would stand for hours and hours, I’d wade through sun and showers, With my dancing shoes and my dreams and views, I’d walk upon an empty stage with one light in my face, To be told don’t phone us, but we’ll phone you. Tell me Son, yeah just how far, I need to go to be a star. Every day the same old scenes, the same old happenings, A hundred miles of shows and just no place to go, And when your luck has all run out, you’re asked to take a bow, You’ve just stolen the show but now you’re on your own. Yes Sir I would sing on Mars, My dream scene is me the star, Me a star, I am a star.
Sadly, his family have announced, that.the US country music legend Kris Kristofferson, has passed away at the age of 88. His family have stated on his official Facebook page, quote, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28th, at home in Hawaii. We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.” No cause of death as yet has been given in the statement issued by his family, however he had retired from his music career, claiming he was loosing his memory.
Born Kristoffer Kristofferson on June 22nd, 1936 in Brownsville, Texas, U.S., the outstanding performer, who held a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in English literature and an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts, held down numerous jobs prior to his enormous fame. These included that of floor sweeper, commercial helicopter pilot, and attaining the rank of United States Army Captain, before leaving the army.
Kris Kristofferson. R.I.P.
His favourite sports, at which he greatly excelled included, boxing, rugby, American football and track and field events. Due to his great determination he eventually achieved hard won fame as a talented singer, musician, songwriter and actor; giving us all those wonderful story telling lyrics, “Me and Bobby McGee”; “For the Good Times”; “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”, and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”, to name but a few.
I had the great privilege of meeting and photographing Mr Kristofferson, for publicity photographs in the Premier Hall here in Thurles, many years ago, when he performed there during one of his many visits to Ireland.
On leaving the US army, he was offered a teaching job at West Point, but he decided instead to head to Nashville, where he began to submit songs for others to record.
In 1970, he signed his own record deal and recorded his first album, (which I borrowed from a friend in 1971). He would earn success both with his own voice and by providing tunes for other hitmakers, including Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin, Ray Price, Dave Dudley, Roy Drusky, Waylon Jennings, Billy Walker, Ray Stevens Gladys Knight & the Pips, Jerry Lee Lewis, Al Green and Kenny Rogers, to name but a few. During his career Kristofferson and Willie Nelson continued a partnership, before joining Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash, to form the supergroup “The Highwaymen”.
Kristofferson made his acting debut in “The Last Movie”, directed by Dennis Hopper. This was followed by films including “Blade”; “Dance with Me”; “Yohan—the Children Wanderer”; “Dolphin Tale”; “Joyful Noise”, latter with long-time friend Ms Dolly Parton; “The Motel Life”; as well as “Angels Sing” with Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett. Kris Kristofferson also appeared alongside Barbra Streisand in the 1976 film “A Star is Born”.
Mr Kristofferson had eight children from his three marriages; two from his first marriage to Fran Beer; one from his second marriage to Rita Coolidge and five from his marriage to his third wife, Lisa (née Meyers) Kristofferson.
The artist once stated that he would like the first three lines of Leonard Cohen’s “Bird on the Wire”, on his tombstone: “Like a bird on the wire, Like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free”.
In ár gcroíthe go deo. Aeterna Non Caduca. (Eternal Not Decay).
A number of residents from Two-Mile-Borris and Thurles district, including Mr Gerry Bowe and Mr Enda Bourke(Chairperson and Secretary, resp., Two-Mile-Borris, Old Cemetery Committee), visited St. John’s Cathedral, Cathedral Place, Irishtown, Co. Limerick(V94 H521) on Wednesday afternoon, November 29th 2023 last. The purpose of this visit was to view this magnificent Cathedral edifice, one of Limerick city’s major tourist attractions, erected on the instruction of Bishop John Ryan, Bishop of Limerick, in 1856, less than a decade after the Great Famine, (1845-1849).
People will be also be aware that tomorrow, Tuesday October 1st, a memorial plaque, dedicated to Bishop John Ryan’s memory, will be unveiled at the site of his parents’ grave, latter situated in the old section of Two-Mile-Borris cemetery, same located south of the large crucifix which divides the newer section of the cemetery from the old. The ceremony will begin at 2:00pm sharp and all those attending are asked to gather first at the Church of St James, in Two-Mile-Borris village centre.
Those in attendance in November last were granted a very informative tour of Limerick Cathedral by Rev. Canon Frank O’Connor. Canon O’Connor, who would have been present for the Two-Mile-Borris ceremony tomorrow; sadly passed away on Thursday August 1st last, following a short illness. Canon O’Connor will be remembered with great gratitude at Bishop Ryan’s ceremony tomorrow.
It was following research undertaken on the history of the Ryan family, by Mrs Julie Thomas(nee Bourke, formerly Rathcunikeen, Two-Mile-Borris, a 3rd generation relative of Fr John Ryan) and her husband Mr Tony Thomas, latter now both residing in New Zealand, that the burial place of Bishop Ryan’s parents had been linked to Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, before the tombstone itself was discovered, raised and finally identified by Mr Gerry Bowe, who remains grateful to Ms Margaret Cormack (Templetuohy, Thurles) for her assistance.
St John’s Cathedral Building.
The building’s design (See slide -show above) is of ‘Gothic revival style’, latter an architectural movement which first kicked off in England during the 1740s. This Cathedral has been carefully maintained over the years; with restoration undertaken every 25 years, since its initial construction was completed.
Bell Tower.
The bell tower of St. John’s Cathedral, today, currently remains the fourth tallest spire in Ireland, towering over the Limerick city skyline. It was designed in 1878 and is 81 metres (266 feet) in height. It is characterised by a base of 2.2 square metres (24 feet square) in area with walls of approximately 1 metre (4 feet) in width. The material used to construct this tower is mainly limestone, same quarried at Rosbrien, latter a townland in Limerick South Rural.
TheCathedral Interior.
Inside the building, as the visitor proceeds down the central part of the church building, one locates the Cathedral’s wonderful altar. The main table is made of Limerick marble, while its substructure consists of alabaster and coloured marble, with the centre decorated with a representation of the sacrifice of Abraham (Abram), latter father of the special relationship between man and God in Christianity; same entirely carved in pure white alabaster.
The Bishop’s Throne and the Cathedral Chapter Stalls were crafted in Munich, Germany in 1984. The magnificent windows of the Cathedral are fitted with stained glass, possibly erected by Joseph Gabriel Mayer & Co, the foremost supplier of stained glass to Irish churches; also from Munich, in Germany.
Within the building, looking westward, the visitor can view the massive, yet resplendent, wooden organ, a gift from Edwin Richard Wyndham-Quin (1812–1871), the 3rd Earl Dunraven, styled Viscount Adare of Adare, Co. Limerick, (from 1824 to 1850); an archaeologist and Irish Peer, (Member of Parliament) whose alma mater was Trinity College Dublin. A Conservative MP for Glamorganshire from the 1837; it was while in the House of Commons, that the 3rd Earl had become a Roman Catholic; his political activity largely aimed at safeguarding religious education here in Ireland.
This imposing musical instrument dates back to 1864 and was built by the prestigious William Hill & Son, (born Lincolnshire 1879), one of the main organ builders in England during the 19th century. In 1917 it was converted to pneumatic action by Norman and Beard Hill, latter founded in 1916, in a merger of Norman and Beard and William Hill & Son of London, latter who were originally based in Norfolk, England.
St John’s Cathedral was consecrated on Thursday June 21st 1894 by Lattin, Co. Tipperary born Bishop Edward O’Dwyer, Bishop of Limerick, in the presence of Donegal born Cardinal Michael Logue, latter an Irish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland from 1887 until his death in 1924.
Tomorrows Unveiling Ceremony.
All are invited to attend tomorrow afternoon’s ceremony, when Fr Tom Fogarty PP, will take charge of Church introductions and proceedings and the now retired Bishop of Killala, Right Revd. John Fleming, will unveil a plaque to the late Bishop Ryan, latter constructed by Mr James Slattery, (Master Stone Mason), Fianna Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
It is now hoped that visitors to St. John’s Cathedral, Cathedral Place, Irishtown, Co. Limerick, will also travel to Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, to visit his parents grave site.
Lyrics: Songwriter guitarist and former member of ‘Sidewalk Prophets’Ben McDonald; songwriter and producer Benjamin Glove; lead singer and founder of ‘Sidewalk Prophets’ Dave Frey. Vocals: American contemporary Christian music band from Nashville ‘Sidewalk Prophets’.
Come to the table.
We all start on the outside, The outside looking in, This is where grace begins. We were hungry we were thirsty, With nothing left to give, Oh the shape that we were in. Just when all hope seemed lost, Love opened the door for us. He said come to the table, Come join the sinners who have been redeemed, Take your place beside the Saviour, Sit down and be set free, Come to the table. Come meet this mighty crew of misfits, Liars and these thieves, No one unwelcome here. That sin and shame that you brought with you, You can leave it at the door, And let mercy draw you near, Come to the table. Come join the sinners who have been redeemed. Take your place beside the Saviour, Sit down and be set free, Come to the table. Come to the table. To the thief and to the doubter, To the hero and the coward, To the prisoner and the soldier, To the young and to the older. All who hunger all who thirst, All the last and all the first, All the paupers and the princes, All who fail, you’ve been forgiven, All who dream and all who suffer, All who loved and lost another, All the chained and all the free, All who follow all who lead, Anyone who’s been let down, All the lost you have been found, All who have been labelled right or wrong, To everyone who hears this song, Come to the table. Come join the sinners you have been redeemed, Take your place beside the Saviour, Sit down and be set free, Oh, sit down and be set free, Come to the table. Come to the table. Just sit down there and rest awhile. Just sit down and rest awhile. Come to the table.
Oscar-winning character actress Dame Ms Maggie Margaret Natalie Smith (Maggie Smith)[Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) and Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE)] (Dec. 28th 1934 − Sept. 27th 2024), has sadly passed away while in the care of staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, London, aged 89.
The talented British actress; best known for her outstanding roles in ‘Harry Potter’(portraying the wise and formidable head of Gryffindor House) and ‘Downton Abbey’(portraying the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley, together with her Academy Award-winning performance in ‘The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie’, and her Best Supporting Actress role in ‘California Suite’, passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning.
Moments that made Maggie Smith in ‘Downton Abbey’.
The intensely private lady, passed away surrounded by close friends and family, leaving behind two sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens and five loving grandchildren all devastated by the loss of their extraordinary talented mother and grandmother.
Born in Ilford, Essex, on December 28, 1934, Ms Smith began her career in the early 1950s with notable performances in theatre. She gained recognition in ‘The Royal Family’ and won her first Oliver Award, in 1971, for her performance in ‘The Private Ear/The Public Eye’. Her film debut began in 1958 in the crime film ‘Nowhere to Go’.
She was also Oscar-nominated for ‘Othello’ (1965), ‘Travels with My Aunt’ (1972), ‘A Room with a View’ (1985), and ‘Gosford Park’ (2001).
Ms Smith received an early BAFTA award for Promising Newcomer in 1959 for ‘Nowhere To Go’. This was followed by BAFTA nominations for ‘Young Cassidy’ in 1966, ‘Death On The Nile’ in 1979, ‘California Suite’ in 1980, ‘Quartet’ in 1982, ‘The Secret Garden‘ in 1994, ‘Tea With Mussolini’ in 2000, ‘Gosford Park’ in 2002 and ‘The Lady In The Van’ in 2016.
She also won Best Actress Awards for ‘The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie’, ‘A Private Function’ and ‘The Lonely Passion Of Judith Hearne’.
One of her final roles included ‘The Miracle Club’, which follows a group of women from Dublin, Ireland, who go on a pilgrimage to the French town of Lourdes.
Ms Smith married actor Robert Stephens on June 29th 1967. They had two sons, Chris (b. 1967) and Toby (b. 1969), and they were divorced on April 6th 1975. Ms Smith married playwright Alan Beverly Cross on June 23rd 1975, at the Guildford Register Office. They remained married until his death on March 20th 1998. Once, when asked in 2013 if she was lonely, she replied, “It seems a bit pointless, going on, on one’s own, and not having someone to share it with”.
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